CARS National Railway Day & CUTA Tradeshow
📅 Dates: November 3–5, 2025
📍 Location: Palais des congrès de Montréal, Montreal, QC
Join industry leaders, suppliers, and professionals from the railway and urban transit sectors for a collaborative event featuring:
CARS National Railway Day – Industry trends, tech, and policy updates
CARS Railway Pavilion – Tradeshow with top railway suppliers
CUTA Tradeshow – Urban mobility solutions and networking
Speaker Sessions & Technical Tours – Expert insights and hands-on experiences
🗓️ Event Agenda
Monday, November 3
- 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM | CUTA Sessions & Technical Tours
- 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | CARS Montreal Port Tour
- 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Exhibitor Move-in
- 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | CARS Board Meeting
- 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM | German Market Entry & Collaboration Session
- 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | CUTA Committee Meetings
Tuesday, November 4
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8:00 AM – 8:45 AM | Joint Networking Breakfast
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9:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Tradeshow Floor Open
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10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | CARS Railway Stage
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   10:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Ghislain Houle, CN
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   10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Alexandre Guilbault, Telus
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12:00 PM – 1:15 PM | Midday Break
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1:30 PM – 3:00 PM |CARS Railway Stage
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   1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Speaker TBA
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   2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Marc-Antoine Dumont, Desjardins
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4:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Exhibitor Move-Out
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6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | CUTA Business Members Reception
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6:30 PM – 7:30 PM | CARS Reception
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7:30 PM – 10:00 PM | CARS Awards Dinner
Wednesday, November 5
- 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM | CUTA Sessions
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đź’° Registration & Tickets
CARS National Railway Day Registration
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| CARS Members | $599 CAD |
| Non-Members | $799 CAD |
Awards Dinner Tickets
- Single Seat:Â $189 CAD
- Table of 10:Â $1,890 CAD
🎟️ Ticketing Notes:
- CUTA Members:Â Contact CUTA for a discount code to register at CARS Member pricing.
- CARS Members:Â Purchase CUTA tickets directly through CUTA.
- Tradeshow Access:Â Free for all attendees.
- Complimentary Registration:Â Available for Class 1, Short Line, Transit, Shippers, Students, and Government Employees.
🏆 CARS Annual Awards
đź—“ Deadline to Apply:Â September 30, 2025
đź“Ą Application Form:Â One form covers all base awards
📧 Submit to: NRD@railwaysuppliers.ca
Base Awards
- 🛡 Safety Award – For safety innovation and leadership
- 🌍 Diversity Award – For inclusive strategies and impact
- 💡 Innovation Award – For advanced technologies and community impact
Special Recognitions
- 🌟 Future of Rail Award – For professionals under 40
- 🏅 Lifetime Achievement Award – For career-long contributions
📧 Nominations: Send name, bio, and contact info to NRD@railwaysuppliers.ca
🏨 Hotel Information
InterContinental Montreal
360 Saint Antoine Ouest, Montréal, QC H2Y 3X4
Group Rate:Â $265.00 CAD
Booking Link:Â https://book.passkey.com/go/cars2025Â
🤝 Sponsorship Opportunities
Become a sponsor and gain visibility among Canada’s rail and transit leaders.
Options include:
- Platinum to Bronze levels
- Port of Montreal Tour
- Exhibitor Passport
- Awards Dinner
đź“„Â Sponsorship Prospectus Available
Speakers / Panelists
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Ghislain Houle
Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer
Ghislain Houle
Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer
Canadian National
Ghislain Houle was appointed Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer in July 2016, based in Montreal. His responsibilities at CN include financial management, strategic planning, strategic acquisitions, and investor relations. Previously, he had been Vice-President and Corporate Comptroller since March 2016, and Vice-President – Financial Planning since March 2007.
Ghislain joined CN in September 1997 as Chief of Internal Audit. In July 1998, he was appointed Managing Director, ISP Project, a three-year initiative to improve business processes by replacing CN's administrative support systems with the SAP integrated solution. He became Vice-President and Treasurer in 2001 and in 2004, he was responsible for the integration of the Business Development Group with CN Railway Properties, which he already managed since November 2002.
Prior to joining CN, Ghislain held the position of Senior Manager in tax and audit at a major accounting firm.
Ghislain is a CPA, CA and holds a bachelor of commerce degree from Laval University and an MBA from McGill University.
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Marc-Antoine Dumont
Senior Economist
Marc-Antoine Dumont
Senior Economist
Desjardins Group
Marc-Antoine Dumont joined Desjardins’ Economic Studies team in 2020 and quickly earned recognition for the depth of his analyses and his talent for communicating complex ideas with clarity and insight. His engaging style has made him a regular and sought-after commentator in the media. At Desjardins, Marc-Antoine leads research and forecasting on commodities and emerging economies. His work includes compelling thematic studies on the global economy, industry outlooks, supply chains, and inflation. He holds a master’s degree in economics from the Barcelona School of Economics and a bachelor’s degree with honors in economics from Université de Montréal.
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Alexandre Guilbault
Head of Artificial Intelligence
Alexandre Guilbault
Head of Artificial Intelligence
Telus
As the leader of TELUS's AI Accelerator, Alex is passionate about driving innovation at the intersection of AI and business. His journey in tech leadership has led him to spearhead transformative solutions across diverse sectors including mobility, home solutions, marketing, finance, and software development.
Over the past 8 years with TELUS, Alex has had the privilege of guiding a talented team of 80+ AI engineers. Together, they're not just implementing cutting-edge AI solutions; they're reshaping how businesses operate and deliver value to their customers. Their focus is on rapid, measurable results that drive real business outcomes while prioritizing inclusivity and well-being. -
Rail Connect Theater
The Rail Connect Theater is a dynamic shared stage hosted in collaboration with CUTA, dedicated to exploring the latest in rail innovation, technology, and industry transformation.
This engaging space will feature presentations from four CARS member companies, each showcasing groundbreaking solutions and forward-thinking approaches that are shaping the future of rail. From sustainability to digitalization, these sessions will highlight the real-world impact of innovation across Canada’s rail sector.
Whether you're a supplier, operator, policymaker, or enthusiast, the Rail Connect Theater offers a front-row seat to the ideas and advancements driving change in the industry.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired!
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Richard Fox-Ivey
Owner
Richard Fox-Ivey
Owner
With over 25 years of experience in Transportation Infrastructure Management, Richard Fox-Ivey has built a career at the intersection of advanced sensing technologies and real-world engineering solutions. He has collaborated with leading sensor manufacturers, systems integrators, inspection service providers, and asset management software firms to modernize how railways, roadways, and runways are monitored and maintained.ÂRichard’s technical expertise spans a wide variety of sensing and data analysis technologies including track geometry measurement systems, 3D laser triangulation, LiDAR, digital imaging, traditional and AI-based imaging processing, ultrasonic and eddy current testing, and AI-driven diagnostics. His practical understanding of how best to utilize and deploy these technologies enables him to deliver actionable insights to his clients.ÂAs founder of his own track inspection consultancy Richard is passionate about bridging engineering and technology to solve real-world challenges. -
Lisa Tuningley
CEO/Founder
Lisa Tuningley
CEO/Founder
Lisa Tuningley is an accomplished leader and passionate advocate for Sustainable Rail Solutions, with over 30 years of experience in the railway industry. As Founder and CEO of T-RAIL Products Inc., Lisa has propelled her company to the forefront of innovation, creating eco-conscious solutions that enhance rail safety and efficiency. Her efforts have earned her numerous accolades, including Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 and the EY Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.
A dedicated mentor, Lisa champions diversity in the transportation sector and believes that empowering others is key to progress. Committed to the message “Rail Connects Us,” she is focused on rail’s potential to drive economic growth and reduce environmental impact across Canada. In her free time, Lisa enjoys exploring Canada’s landscapes, fishing, and supporting local arts and culture.
This National Railway Day, Lisa looks forward to sharing her vision for rail’s future and its essential role in building sustainable communities across Canada.
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James Marks
Chief Financial Office
James Marks
Chief Financial Office
James Marks is the Chief Financial Officer and a founding member of Canadian Railway Services (CRWS). With over a decade of experience in the rail industry, James brings a unique blend of financial oversight, structural engineering expertise, and hands-on knowledge in machining, fabrication, and industrial processes.
A former Director of Engineering, James has led projects ranging from equipment attachments to full carbody structural designs, combining FEA verification with practical, cost-effective solutions. Known for being solution-oriented and results-driven, he ensures every project balances technical integrity with client satisfaction.
At CRWS, James oversees business governance and financial strategy while continuing to advocate for logical, efficient approaches to complex engineering challenges. His leadership is defined by collaboration, a customer-first mindset, and a commitment to advancing industry standards in passenger and freight rail.
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Member
|
NRD 2025 - Member Registration This is an all-access pass to the full day conference and networking. Full Registration ticket holders will have access. NOTE: Awards Dinner Not Included. Early-bird rate is no longer available
|
$599.00 + tax | ||
|
NRD 2025 - Awards Dinner Gala Dinner Single Seat |
$189.00 + tax | ||
|
NRD 2025 - Awards Dinner Table Awards Dinner Table of 10 |
$1,890.00 + tax | ||
| CUTA & CARS 3 Day Conference Ticket Accsess to all CUTA Sessions and CARS Sessions. |
$1,949.00 + tax | ||
| Proceed to Checkout | |||
Non-Member
| NRD 2025 - Non-Member Registration This is an all-access pass to the full day of conference and tradeshow accsess. NOTE: Awards Dinner Not Included. |
$799.00 + tax | ||
| NRD 2025 - Awards Dinner Table Awards Dinner Table of 10 |
$1,890.00 + tax | ||
| NRD 2025 - Awards Dinner Gala Dinner Single Seat |
$189.00 + tax | ||
| Proceed to Checkout | |||
Sponsorship
| NRD25 Platinum Sponsor Platinum level sponsorship offers the sponsoring company the highest level of visibility. |
$15,000.00 + tax | ||
| NRD25 Gold Sponsor The Gold-level sponsorship offers the sponsoring company a high level of visibility. |
$10,000.00 + tax | ||
| NRD25 Silver Sponsor Silver level sponsorship offers the sponsoring company a mid-level of visibility. |
$5,000.00 + tax | ||
| NRD25 Bronze Sponsor This investment provides much-needed broad support to CARS to help cover the cost of audio/visual services, support services and other operating expenses during the Conference. |
$3,500.00 + tax | ||
| NRD25 Awards Dinner Sponsor The sponsor’s logo will be displayed at the CARS Award Dinner and includes two (2) dinner seats. |
$1,000.00 + tax | ||
| Port of Montreal Tour Sponsor As the Port of Montreal Tour Sponsor, you'll receive social media recognition, your logo featured in the program and on the CARS website, and on-site acknowledgment during bus loading. |
$4,000.00 + tax | ||
| Exhibitor Passport Sponsor As the Exhibitor Passport Sponsor, you'll receive logo placement on the printed passport, in the program, and on the CARS website, social media recognition, and verbal acknowledgment during the prize draw at the CARS Awards Dinner. |
$3,000.00 + tax | ||
| Proceed to Checkout | |||